Minister for the Middle East appalled by ongoing violence in Syria

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Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt said that President Assad must face the reality that the Syrian people are calling for change, and end the brutality.

Speaking about the ongoing military campaign against the Syrian city of Rastan, the Foreign Office Minister said:

“I was appalled by the reports of the Syrian regime’s assault on civilians in Rastan. Syrian troops, firing machine-guns and backed by helicopters and tanks, have been besieging that city. This is a further escalation of the regime’s repression which in recent months has seen thousands of civilians - including children - caught up in indiscriminate violence. If ever there was a stark reminder that the UN must take further action, this is it. President Assad must face the reality that the Syrian people are calling for change, end the brutality and step aside in favour of genuine reform”